Display device



Nov. 9, 1937. M. P. EXLINE ET AL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Deo. 2l, 1936 W F. W M

Patented Nov. 9, i937 res UNET

PATETl DISPLAY DEVICE' Application December 21, 1936, Serial No. 116,896

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in display devices.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved display device which is particularly adapted for advertising purposes.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved display device including a windimpelled rotatable member which is arranged to be constantly rotated, regardless of the direction l0 of the wind, whereby attention is attracted to the device.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved Idisplay device including a stationary member arranged to carry suitable adb vertising indicia, and a wind impelled element located behindthe stationary member and havn ing portions thereof visible around the edges of said member whereby the rotation` of the element attracts attention to the indicia and produces an J3 attractive and unique advertising medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the character described including a wind wheel arranged to be rotated by the wind blowing thereagainst, with means on :.5 the periphery of the wheel for rotating the same in the event of a cross wind, whereby constant rotation oi' the wheel is eifected.

Still another object of the invention is to providel an improved display device wherein a confil stantly rotating member is pivcted on a vertical axis which permits the rotatable member to turn on such vertical axis. which adds to the attractiveness of the display; the member being suitably colored so as to further enhance its appearance.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood il from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which example of the invention is sho-wn, and wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of a display device,

13 constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the rotatable element showing the stationary display member removed,

5) Figure i is a transverse, vertical sectional View,

taken on the line fl-il of Figure 3.

In the drawing, the numeral l@ designates a base having a tubular post or standard l l extending .fertically therefrom. A frame i2 is mounted to rotate on the upper end of the post, being supported on a suitabie bearing i3. The bearing comprises a base piate lil provided with a depending axial shank i5 which is inserted within the upper end of the post, whereby said plate 1" is supported on said post. The base plate projects beyond the post to form an annular flange at the upper end of the same and the upper surface of the plate is recessed to provide a raceway IE( A ball bearing assembly il, of the usual construction is disposed in the raceway and a cover plate or disk i3 rests on said assembly. This disk. is by screws lil', or other means to the lower end of the frame. An elongate headed pin i9 passes downwardly through the frame and disk and axially through the shank l5 of the base plate and extends into the bore of the post.

With this arrangement, it will be obvious that the frame l2 is rotatable on the upper end of the post on a vertical axis. The bearing le, of course, facilitates the rotation of the frame. It is noted that the'invention is not to be limited to the particular bearing structure shown as any suitable anti-friction means may be interposed between the post H and frame l2.

The frame l2 is formed of an elongate flat strap whichV is bent upon itself, as shown in Figure 4, to provi-de a pair of parallel arms 2e which extend vertically from the post and which are connected together at their upper ends. The arms are constructed of comparatively strong material so as to be substantially rigid. If desired, the arms may be braced at their mid-portion by a pair of laterally extending brace members 2l. Each brace member is4 U-shaped and 'has one end secured to one of the arms while its other end is secured to the other arm. These members can be eliminated if the arms 2Q have sufficient rigidity.

A rotatable element 22 is disposed within the frame between the arms 2@ and members 2|, being mounted on a transverse shaft 2d, which shaft extends through openings 2 provided in the midportion of the arms of the frame, as is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. This. rotatable element is provided with a central hub 25 which surrounds the shaft Z3. The usual ball bearings Q6 are mounted in the hub to facilitate rotation of the element on the shaft. A plurality of blades or vanes 2'! extend radially from the hub, and when the wind strikes these blades, the element is rotated.

The blades or vanes may be formed individually and secured to the hub, or may be constructed in any other manner. However, it is preferable to utilize a solid dat disk in which radial slits 2l are cut, each slit extending from .the outer edge of the disk to a point near the center thereof. The sections or portions between the slits are then Warped or bent outwardly toform the blades. After the blades have been formed, a tubular rim 28 is welded, or otherwise secured to the outer edges of the blades, thereby connecting the outer ends of the blades and strengthening the structure. It is noted that this method of forming the vanes 21 is simple and economical and also forms a very substantial structure; it will be obvious, therefore, that costs of manufacture are reduced since the number of operations required to form the wheel is few.

Conical or tapered cups 30, curved to fit the Y rim 28, are mounted on said rim in spaced relation therearound, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. These cups are so-.mounted on the rimY 28 that the open end of each alternate cup is directed toward one side of the wheel 22 while the other cups have their open end inclined toward the other side of the wheel (Figure 2). The diameter of the rotatable element 22 including the cups 30, is such that said wheel may be rotated on the shaft 23 without Striking the arms 20 or braces EI of the frame I2.

An advertising panel 3| is mounted on the face of the frame I3, being secured to the brace members 2I. This panel carries suitable indicia and may be of any desired shape. When in place on the frame, the outer ends of the blades 2'! project beyond the edges of the panel, whereby the panel does not materially interfere with the rotation of the element 22 by the wind. If desired, a panel 3l may be mounted on both sides of the frame I2. i

In use the device is set in an air stream, either in or out of doors, whereupon the air stream or wind striking the blades or vanes 2'I at substantially right angles to the face of the wind wheel, formed as described, will cause the wheel to rotate. It is noted that the Wind can strike the wheel from either side and rotation will occur.

Ordinarily, should the air stream be directed against the edge of the wheel and transversely of the axle 23, it is obvious that the effect of such air stream upon the vanes 21 to produce rotation of the wheel would be negligible. However, such an air stream directed against the edge ofthe wheel, will strike the cups 30, andfacting upon the open faces of the cups which may be exposed against such air stream, as are the lower cups in Figure 2, will thereby cause rotation of the wheel. It is pointed out that if the wind is blowing in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 3, it willV act upon the lower cups to rotate the wheel in a clockwise direction. However, if the wind is from an opposite direction, as indicated by the 'arrow B, the upper cups will be acted upon to impart the rotation. If the wind is not blowing directly against the blades 2'I or cups, then it will strike the frame and wheel at an angle and will turn the same on the bearing I3, whereby rotation then occurs.

As clearly shown in Figure 2, each cup is disposed at an angle to the two cups next adjacent, and all are positioned at a slight angle to the vertical plane of the wind wheel. This arrangement increases the attractiveness of the device, for when the wheel is rotating an uneven or dashing effect is produced along the edge of the wheel. However, if desired the cups may be mounted in alinement with the rim 23.

The rotation of the wheel attracts attention to the indicia on the advertising panel 3I carried by the frame and in .addition the rapidly rotating blades or vanes form a background for such indicia. The vanes, cups and indicia may be of contrasting colors; such as: red for the indicia, yellow for the Vanes and blue Cups, whereby an attractive advertising medium is obtained.

While the vanes or sails 2I have been shown as being formed from a single piece of material,

it is obvious that the hub may have spokes extending outwardly to the rim of the wheel and individual blades or varies secured to such spokes. What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i. A display device including, av support, a

frame mounted to rotate on a vertical axis on the support, a wind-impelled element within the frame and rotatable on a horizontal axis, means on the periphery of the element for rotating the element when the wind is in a direction at substantially a right angle to the face of the element, and a display panel carrying advertising indicia secured to the frame and covering the central portion of the rotatable element, whereby a portion of said element is Visible behind the stationary panel.

2. A display device including, a support, a frame mounted torotate on a vertical axis on the support, a wind-impelled element within the frame and rotatable on a horizontal axis, means on the element for rotating it when the wind is in a direction at substantially a right angle to the face of the element and means for rotating the element when the wind is directed against the edge of the element transversely of the axis of the element, and a display panel mounted on alternately in opposite directions at an angle on the circumference of the element for rotating the element when wind is directed edgewise thereagainst and transversely of the axis of the element whereby to oscillate the element on the axis of the frame during rotation, and a display panel mounted on the frame in front of and covering the central portion of said rotatable yelement whereby a portion of the element is unobstructed and visible behind the panel.

4. A display device including, a support, an

upright open frame mounted to rotate on a central vertical axis on said support, a wind wheel rotatably mounted on a horizontal supporting shaft within said frame, said wheel having radial u blades for rotating it when wind is directed against the face of the wheel, a ring member secured to the peripheral ends of said radial blades, an annular series of tapered cup members secured on said ring member and disposed at an angle alternately in opposite directions whereby to rotate the wheel when wind is directed edgewise thereagainst and transversely of its axis and simultaneously oscillate the wheel about the vertical axis of theV frame during rotation, and a stationary display panel, proportionately smaller than the diameter of the wheel, secured on the frame in front of and covering the central face portion or" the wheel whereby a portion of the wheel is. unobstructed and visible behind the panel.

MARCUS P. EXLINE.

WILLIAM F. BEALE.

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